'Protecting the Past - Informing the Present' City Heritage Strategy 2014 - 2019

Overview

Birmingham has a remarkably rich and diverse heritage reflecting over two thousand years of historic development. This heritage includes museums and archives and their collections, the historic environment, libraries, parks, natural habitats and the stories of its people and communities.

The purpose of the Birmingham Heritage Strategy is to provide a framework and context for how we preserve, prioritise, encourage participation in and promote the city’s heritage

The Strategy identifies the main issues facing the city’s heritage in the current economic climate, and recommends practical measures to ensure the future care and management of this legacy. While we will retain a distinct City Heritage Strategy, this document will complement the wider City Cultural Strategy and likewise, seeks inspiration from both past cultural legacies of thought, artefacts and buildings and the present vibrant cultural mix that is Birmingham today.

Who owns the strategy?

This strategy has been developed through the Birmingham Heritage Strategy Group (HSG) which is made up of representatives from the main organisations in the city who have responsibility for, or an interest in, a whole range of heritage activity. Each organisation is of course autonomous, though some, notably the Museums Trust, receive direct funding from the City Council. The Strategy is, however, a framework for effective co-operation towards a common goal, the enhancement of heritage assets and activities within the city. The following organisations are currently represented on the group:

Birmingham City Council

Birmingham Museums Trust

Birmingham Conservation Trust

Birmingham Heritage Forum

Heritage Lottery Fund

English Heritage

National Trust

Victorian Society

Birmingham Civic Society

University of Birmingham

Birmingham City University

Birmingham Voluntary Services Council (BVSC)

Birmingham Assay Office

Jewellery Quarter Development Trust

Birmingham Botanical Gardens

Canal & Rivers Trust

Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA)

  What we need from you...

Please read the Heritage Strategy 2014 - 2019 (attached below in 'Related Documents' ) with due attention to the 'Key actions for BCC and Partner Organisations' at the end of each section:

Objective 1: ‘Preservation: Protecting and Managing What We Value’

Objective 2: ‘Prioritisation: Role of the Heritage Strategy'

Objective 3: ‘Participation: Engaging People in Their Heritage’

Objective 4: '‘Promotion: Telling the Birmingham Story, Past, Present & Future’

Then click on 'Online Survey' below and fill out your responses.

Why your views matter

It is important to canvas meaningful input from the residents from the City the Heritage Strategy serves alongside interested stakeholders; which will provide a fair and balanced critique. The strategy will be in place for 5 years and will be representative of the people of Birmingham's opinion. 

What happens next

Feedback received from consultees will be scrutinised and legitimate and relevant points will be sought to be included within the body of the text.